MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

West Coast Times, Issue 574, 27 July 1867, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(fbom the home news.)

On May 6,alarge three-masted schoone r was launched from the building yard of Stewart Brothers, at Inverness, in the presence of a large concourse of spectators. On being loosed from her position, she glided easfly and gracefully into the river, the onlookers expressing an unanimous opinion that a finer launch they had never witnessed. Unfortunately, however, immediately on reaching the water's edge, when the anchor was thrown out, she began to heel over to the larboard side, and in a few seconds fairly upset on her beam ends, all on board, to the number of between thirty and forty, being suddenly cither capsized into the water, or forced to cling to the rigging for safety. The excitement amongst the spectators was most intense, a general rush being made to the water's edge, and all the available boats put into requisition. The vessel lay a slovenly unshapen mass in the river, her masts totally immersed, and the keel projecting considerably above the water line ; vrhile among the accumulated debris and floating spars were men and lads struggling for their lives, some clinging to the rigging or standing on the uppermost side of the ship, and others swimming for the shore. Two or three young men swam out with their clothes on ; their united efforts being successful in rescuing all who were ma perilous position, although at the time and for hours after it was extremely doubtful whether the catastrophe had not resulted in the loss of a few lives. Providentially, however, every one was saved. The accident is understood to have been caused by the vessel being what is known as " top heavy." The vessel has since been righted. # Fourteen Fenian prisoners; confined at Ennis, in the county gaol, have been released on their own recognisances, and it is understood that the Crown will forego the prosecutions, except in a few cases.

Two of the turnkeys of Longford Gaol have been dismissed by the board of superintendence, for supplying two Fenian prisoners with brandy, whisky, and copies of the " Irishman" newspaper. It is said that an Unaer-Secretaryship for Scotland is actually created, or to be created, under the Home-office, and that Sir James Fergusson, M.P. for Ayrshire, is to be the first holder of the office.

A horrible affair occurred at Hoxton on May 11. A woman, who gave the name of Mary Jane Fletcher, was engaged as a servant two days previously by the landlady of a tavern in Whitmore-road. The woman represented herself as being a married person, and stated that she had been deserted by her husband. On the night of the 11th a man, having the appearance of a sailor, entered the house and inquired for Mary Jane Fletcher. He was shown into the kitchen, where she was at the time. In a minute or two afterwards pistol-shots were heard, and on the inmates entering the kitchen they found both tLe man and the woman lying on the floor, dead, The man had shot the woman, who was his wife, and then killed himself.

The Dublin " Nation " of May 18 acknowledges the receipt during the previous week of L 57 7s 6d., which had been subscribed in Invercargill, NewZealand, for the benefit of the wives and families of the " State prisoners in Ireland." It has been intrusted for distribution to Mrs O'Donovan (Rossa) and Mrs Clarke Luby, both of whose husbands are now • confined in Portland prison. (For remainder of 27eios see teh Page.)